Day Trip

Yesterday the four of us took a day trip to visit Tal's family in Salter Path, which is 3 hours from our home. We left at 7 A.M. and were home at 4 P.M. We packed a lot into the day, but we enjoyed seeing everyone!

Hanging Out at Gran's House:

We visited Tal's grandma (Gran) who spent Thursday night in the hospital but thankfully came home on Friday. Yesterday Gran was feeling better and in good spirits. 

Gran and Hadley (10 months)

Hadley loved playing with the beach ball...

...and wearing Grandma Barbara's hat:

Savannah tried on Grandma Barbara's hat, too!

Uncle Benny, Gran, and Hadley 

Savannah and Uncle Benny

Tal was playing some songs on his phone: 

Hadley thought it was hilarious to touch Daddy's hair:

Daddy's Girls

Savannah was so proud of her seashell collection at Grandma Barbara's house:

She spent a long time rearranging the shells on Grandma's porch railing:

 We ate lunch at Benny and EJ's house, 

where Hadley played on the trampoline for the first time:

Savannah used flashcards to help her cousin Harper learn her letters:

Hadley rode the "roller coaster" in Harper's play room:

Hadley snuggled on Uncle Benny's lap:

Silly Sisters

Savannah (6) and Hadley (10 months) LOVE rolling around, playing, and acting silly 

on Mommy and Daddy's bed:

Video: Savannah is Reading!

August 20, 2015

Savannah, who is in 1st grade, reads at least 15 minutes each day. Watch Savannah read aloud in my library after school this week:

Video: Swinging in Our Backyard

August 22, 2015

Hadley (10 months old) had so much fun swinging in our backyard today:

Video: Baby Giggles

August 22, 2015

Baby giggles are the cutest! Watch the video below to see Hadley (10  months old) laugh when Savannah pushes her swing:

Video: Playing with a Balloon

This video was taken a month ago when Hadley was 9 months old. She had lots of fun playing with a balloon at Chick-fil-a:

Video: Hadley is on the Move!

August 22, 2015

Hadley (10 months old), who started walking a couple weeks ago, is standing and walking really well!

Video: Chasing the Ball

This video was taken a couple months ago when Hadley (8 months old at the time) was learning how to chase a ball:

Video: Hadley is Standing!

This video was taken a couple months ago when Hadley (8 months old at the time) was learning how to stand:

Video: Hadley is Walking!

Watch Hadley (10 months) walking:

Random iPhone Photos

Life...unedited. 

These photos are dark, blurry, and untouched, 

but they capture everyday moments that I want to remember forever.

August 2015

Kids Night at Chick-fil-a

A clown did face painting, balloon animals, and crafts.

August 2015

Hadley napped at Falls Lake

August 2015

Savannah made cookies for her teachers.

She loved this thank-you note from her music teacher.

August 2015

Dinner at Waffle House

August 2015

Swinging in our backyard

August 2015

Hadley fell asleep in the cart at Walmart:

On the Market!

Our rental property is on the market! 

In addition to having 1450 square feet, including 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, this house holds some wonderful memories for me and Tal.  Tal bought this house in January 2006 (a month before we started dating!). I moved into the house after we got married in 2007, and we lived there until we bought our current house in December 2010. After Savannah was born, we brought her home to this home. Savannah took her first steps in this house. 

There are several reasons why Tal and I decided to sell our rental house. The neighborhood is declining. Crime is increasing. Property values are increasing very slowly. 

However, the main reason is that our rental property is a money pit. Financial experts say that rental properties are excellent long-term investments. In our experience, however, it takes a lot of time, energy, and money to maintain two houses (including our primary residence). 

For example, over the last 3 weeks, Tal and I have spent over $6,000 in repairs and carrying costs...which is more than the house will appreciate this year:

• A painting crew painted the interior, as well as the deck, front door, and mailbox post.
• A landscaping crew cut the grass, trimmed the bushes, spread mulch, and laid pine straw.
• A handyman repaired a leak above the master bathroom shower and painted that bathroom ceiling.
• Another handyman replaced the master bathroom window that was leaking.
• The maids cleaned the inside of the house.
• A pressure washing company power washed the home's exterior and cleaned out the gutters.
• The plumber cut a hole in the dining room to repair a leak. Our sheet rock guy patched up and repainted the ceiling. 

Tal and I hope our house sells quickly and with a decent profit!